Rules in International Tennis Tournaments: A Game Theoretic Perspective

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the evolving rules in international tennis tournaments, focusing on the sport’s adaption to technological advancements, shifts in playing styles, and the increasing need to enhance global spectatorship. Tracing the progression from the historical “Jeu de paume” to modern play, the strategic depth of its scoring system and potential future implications are examined. Reviewing statistical analysis and recent research, this study documents modifications to the scoring system, including the no-ad game and proposed “short games,” designed to shorten match lengths while simultaneously boosting competitiveness and spectator involvement. These innovations seek to balance tradition with modern audience expectations. Central to the analysis is the game-theoretic perspective, which offers insights into the trade-off between game complexity and spectator satisfaction. Through an extensive review, the article discusses the adaptability and continuous evolution of the rule system. This is shown by an examination of the strategic significance of the serve and potential rule changes such as single-service games or granting starting advantages to lower-ranked players.

Keywords: Tennis, Scoring System, Game Theory.